Transgender volunteer from Leamington up for national care award

Oliver Williams

A transgender volunteer from the Old Town area of Leamington has been shortlisted for a national care award.

Ben Whelan, 37, has worked with Making Space for three years, volunteering a day a week with the adult health and social care charity.

Giving up his time for the charity's Warwickshire Co-Production Service, he supports people with mental health issues at wellbeing hubs, regularly makes presentations and talks, is a regular contributor to the service's newsletter and gives advice on how mental health services can best meet the needs of the people who use them.

Ben, who came out as female to male transgender aged 23, also volunteers for Springfield Mind and hopes to one today gain paid employment in a mental health or social care role.